LYFORD — It’s a good time to get rid of prescription drugs so they won’t fall into the wrong hands.
Tomorrow, Saturday, Communities Against Substance Abuse, or CASA, will team up with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to collect unwanted prescription drugs as part of a national program.
“By removing unwanted prescription drugs from their homes, the public helps prevent experimentation, addiction, overdose and even death,” Rosalie Tristan, CASA’s coordinator, said in a statement.
Tristan said she’s working to open a site where residents can turn in prescription drugs “around the clock.”
“Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet,” a press release said.
Elizabeth Urbina, a drug prevention specialist with Behavioral Health Solutions of South Texas, warned youths are known to take their parents’ prescription drugs.
“Our biggest concern is other people getting their hands on them,” Urbina said.
Organizers warn residents not to throw pills and other prescription drugs in the trash or flush them down the toilet to avoid contaminating the water supply.
In April, organizers said, Americans turned in 447 tons of prescription drugs at nearly 5,400 DEA sites and more than 4,200 sites operated by state and local law enforcement agencies.
